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Blue Action // Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Impact and Innovation, and What’s Ahead for 2025

Updated: Dec 22, 2024

As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a year of impact and innovation while sharing our key insights and forecasts for 2025. Wishing all our dedicated members a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year ahead!


EXPANDING OUR GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS // CARIBBEAN AS A VANGUARD FOR CLIMATE SOLUTIONS

Blue Action Reflecting on 2024

In 2024, Blue Action solidified key collaborations across the globe, via 11 innovation partners and 9 government partners covering 10 countries and 5 continents. From the U.S., The Bahamas, Portugal, Mexico, Barbados, Jamaica, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Canada (B.C.), to Spain and Italy, we have made strides globally.

Notably, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Barbados (MOU), paving the way for the Caribbean to emerge as a global leader in climate action. This partnership with Future Barbados, a think tank with the Office of Prime Minister Mia Mottley, aligns the region with cutting-edge climate solutions that can be scaled to Latin America, Africa, and beyond. By working with some of the most influential voices in the climate crisis, we are positioning the Caribbean as a vanguard for climate solutions, demonstrating what’s possible when innovation meets collaboration.


We celebrated an MOU with the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship Caribbean. Blue Action and the Branson Centre have established a cooperative relationship for the purpose of developing and accelerating climate-resilient technologies and models for sustainable development and programs focused on building the blue and green economy, supporting entrepreneurs, and promoting innovative technologies in Jamaica, The Bahamas, and across the wider Caribbean region. More news on this exciting collaboration will be revealed in 2025!



RESTORATION EFFORTS // BUILDING CAPACITY FOR CLIMATE SOLUTIONS

Our commitment to restoration and mitigation has been at the core of our work this year. Through our initiatives at Conservation Cove, our ‘living laboratory’ based in Grand Bahama, we build the blue economy by safeguarding key resources such as mangroves, reefs and conch; while also developing climate solutions that benefit coastal communities around the world.



Blue Action Lab, Waterkeepers Bahamas, Anne-Marie Carroll planting mangroves

Successful Conch Metamorphosis

We demonstrated the viability of our methods and marked a step closer to scalable solutions for replenishing wild populations. Our collaboration with Dr. Megan Davis and the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute has been instrumental in overcoming technical challenges and refining protocols for conch aquaculture. Their expertise has helped us establish best practices for larval care, water quality management, and juvenile rearing.

Community Involvement

We employed local divers to collect egg masses, ensuring community engagement and creating job opportunities in marine conservation.

This initiative has strengthened local stewardship and highlighted the role of Bahamians in protecting their natural resources.

Mangrove Mania

Through education, out-planting, and employment initiatives, we and our partners have made remarkable strides in restoring mangrove ecosystems.


Waterkeepers Bahamas (WKB) Mangrove Program achieved significant milestones in 2024, reflecting its ongoing commitment to mangrove conservation and restoration. Over the year, the organization planted over 10,000 mangroves at Dover Sound, Grand Bahama, focusing on restoring coastal resilience. Through collaborative efforts with additional partners in the Bahamas Mangrove Alliance and at Conservation Cove, along with funders, WKB has not only rehabilitated critical mangrove habitats but also heightened public awareness about the ecological importance of these ecosystems.

The mangrove nursery developed by Blue Action Lab served as an outdoor classroom and hosted hundreds of school students and volunteers throughout the year.


A YEAR OF GLOBAL INFLUENCE // FOOTPRINT AND IMPACT


Forum for Impact delegates experience climate solutions first hand at Conservation Cove by Blue Action Lab
Forum for Impact delegates experience climate solutions first hand at Conservation Cove by Blue Action Lab

In 2024, Conservation Cove has played a pivotal role in raising awareness and driving climate action worldwide. Through key events like Forum for Impact, Clinton Global Initiative, and collaborations with the Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have brought together diplomats, policymakers, and change-makers from around the globe.


Our Conservation Cove Community Day offered immersive educational experiences to hundreds of visitors, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to make sustainable choices in their daily lives. With nearly 2,000 international VIPs engaging in these events, Blue Action has made significant strides in shaping global attitudes and inspiring climate-conscious action, creating a ripple effect that will continue to resonate across the world.


EMPOWERING PEOPLE // NEW EMPLOYMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING


Rupert Hayward, Founder, Blue Action, Lachelle Russell and Anne-Marie Carroll, Blue Action Lab
(i) Rupert Hayward, Founder, Blue Action (ii) Lachelle Russell and Anne-Marie Carroll, Blue Action Lab

Blue Action’s growth in 2024 was not only measured by partnerships and initiatives but also by the expansion of our team. We welcomed new team members: Lachelle Russell, Kristian Moree, Lashanti Jupp, Ann-Marie Carroll, to our Blue Action Lab team in the Bahamas. Their expertise and dedication will drive our mission forward.


Through various educational programs, including our University of the Bahamas internship program, collaborations with Florida Atlantic University, and our work with Chevening Scholars, we are cultivating the next generation of climate leaders. We proudly introduced two Chevening Scholarships, exclusive to Bahamians, creating new opportunities for local talent to gain international experience and contribute to global climate solutions.


The Chevening Scholarship program allows outstanding students from around the world to pursue fully-funded master’s degree studies at accredited universities in the UK. The scholarship includes tuition, accommodation, stipend, and air travel for three years.



DRIVING INVESTMENT //CLIMATE FINANCE AND HIGH-TECH SOLUTIONS


In 2024, Blue Action played a key role in driving investment in climate finance and technology; we proudly supported Jeevan Climate Solutions, Ocean Ledger, Acua Ocean, Armada Technologies, SOARCE, Brineworks, AtmoCooling and Drift Energy, all of which have made significant strides in providing high-tech climate solutions. To date, over $20 million has been raised for these 8 portfolio companies, advancing large-scale technologies that aim to have a measurable impact on the global climate landscape.


2025 AND BEYOND // STRENGTHENING OUR CARIBBEAN PRESENCE AND EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS AHEAD


Blue Action Accelerator, Brineworks, Armada Technologies
(i) Brineworks (ii) Armada Technologies

As we continue to expand our impact across the Caribbean, we are focusing on solidifying our position as a leading force in the region. Through strategic partnerships with governments, NGOs, and investors, we aim to deepen our presence and drive sustainable change.


In addition to our regional efforts, we are thrilled about the upcoming deployments of several of our portfolio companies, either through pilot projects or full-scale commercial launches. We are looking forward to collaborating with our partners to bring these innovations to life. Companies like Brineworks, Jeevan, and MetalLight are at the forefront of our upcoming initiatives, and we can’t wait to see the impact they will make.


As we look to 2025 and beyond, Blue Action remains steadfast in our commitment to driving climate solutions, building partnerships, and empowering the next generation of leaders.


Thank you to our incredible team, partners, and supporters for making 2024 such a monumental year. We are excited to continue this journey and tackle the challenges of tomorrow, today.


Happy Holidays,

The Blue Action Team

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